In emotional farewell pope says he resigned for good of Church

Source: Reuters

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict bid an emotional farewell at his last general audience on Wednesday, saying he understood the gravity of his decision to become the first pontiff to resign in 600 years but that he had done it for the good of the Roman Catholic Church.

Addressing an estimated 150,000 people in St Peter's Square the day before he steps down, Benedict said his crisis-hit papacy had included moments of joy but also difficulty when, "It seemed like the Lord was sleeping."

Sitting on an ivory colored throne on the steps of St Peter's Basilica and frequently interrupted by applause from the crowd, the pontiff said: "There were moments when the waters were choppy and there were headwinds."

When he finished his speech the crowd, including many red-hatted cardinals, stood to clap.